FERRET, Mustela faro, an animal of the weasel family (nustelida), so nearly allied to the polecat (q.v.) that may regard it as a mere domesticated variety. It is of rather smaller size, the head and body being about 14 in. long, the tail 5f in., the muzzle rather longer and more pointed, the head rather narrower; and the color is very differ ent, being yellowish, with more or less of white in some parts, there being two kinds of hair, the longer partly white, the shorter yellow. The eyes are pink. It is, however, much more susceptible of cold than the polecat, and requires careful protection from it in climates where the polecat is a hardy native. It was imported into Europe from Africa, and was well known to the Romans, being anciently employed, as it still is, in rabbits, for which purpose it is often sent into their burrows muzzled, or "coped," by means of a piece of string, to drive them out into nets, or, with a string attached to it, it is allowed to seize a rabbit in the burrows, and is then drawn out, holding it fast. The usual plan, however, is to let the F. have free range of rabbit
holes unmuzzled, the rabbits being shot as they bolt. Attention to warmth and cleanli ness is essential to the health of ferrets. They are capable only of partial domestication, acquiring a kind of familiarity with man, and submitting with perfect quietness to his handling, but apparently never forming any very decided attachment; and they never cease to be dangerous if not carefully watched, especially where infants are within their reach. If allowed any measure of freedom, they are ready to attack poultry, and kill far more than they can devour, merely sucking the blood. They generally breed twice a year, each brood consisting of six or nine. The female sometimes devours the young ones, in which case another brood is speedily produced.